Heritage Fund

The Western Way Thanks AZ Senator Shope and Rep. Osborne for Leadership on Heritage Fund in 2021

by

Press Release: TheWesternWay.org – August 21, 2021

The Western Way thanks Arizona State Representative Joanne Osborne (District 13) and State Senator Thomas “T.J.” Shope, JR (District 8) for their leadership during the 2021 legislative session to help restore funding to the Arizona Heritage Fund. Thanks to Rep. Osborne, Sen. Shope, their colleagues in the legislature, and Governor Doug Ducey, the fund was restored to received a total of $10 million in 2021.

The Heritage Fund has made a significant impact to not just wildlife conservation efforts in Arizona, but also to the state’s economy, public access, and outdoor recreation. In 1990, the Heritage Fund was created by voters when they passed a ballot initiative by a 2-1 ratio. However, funding was cut in 2010 to deal with impacts of the the Great Recession.

Shope AZ.jpeg

“After 11 years, our state’s executive and legislative branches finally came together to fund the State Parks Heritage Fund to maintain and upgrade the growing number of parks, trails and historic preservation projects that have languished or are newly proposed in every municipality, county and tribal area in our state. I’m excited to see what projects start coming out of the ground to enhance the communities in which they’re located.”-Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge

joanne_osborne.jpeg

“My family came to Arizona in the late 1800s. Our state’s history can be found in so many places and needs to be preserved for future generations. Arizona is a unique and special place from its glorious lands to incredible places. Let’s keep the West alive and our Arizona way. It was an honor to carry the bill to advocate for funding for the State Parks Heritage Fund.” Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear

2023 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation (SCORP) Survey

by

Dear Arizona recreationists, club and community members:

Arizona State Parks and Trails has launched the 2023 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation (SCORP) public survey! Please help us make sure all interested Arizona outdoor recreationists have a chance to be heard.

Public participation by Arizonans over the age of 18 who recreate outdoors is vitally important. Arizona State Parks and Trails is collecting feedback from user groups, the general public, stakeholders, advocates, and recreation providers to develop outdoor recreation priorities for the state for the next five years.

Included is an 8.5×11 poster that can be emailed, printed and posted or distributed. You can use this poster to urge members of your organization, other members of the public, your communities and networks to provide feedback for this plan. If you would like Arizona State Parks and Trails to print some of these materials to send to your organization, or if you have additional questions about this project, please contact Dawn Collins at 602-542-7128 or scorp@azstateparks.gov.

The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish. The survey links will be active until December 2021.  Click here to access the survey.

Background:

Every five years, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) must be updated. This plan gathers information and recommendations to guide the management and funding priorities for outdoor recreation in Arizona. Arizona State Parks and Trails is working with Arizona State University and Partners in Brainstorms to produce a well-informed, inclusive plan that will:

  • Guide the distribution of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other outdoor recreation-related grants, like the Heritage Fund and the State Lake Improvement Fund.
  • Promote a common understanding of state and regional issues, goals, objectives, and actions impacting outdoor recreation interests.
  • Provide a framework for strengthening collaboration among outdoor recreation advocates, providers, elected officials, and others to be more effective in championing and sustaining Arizona’s outdoor recreation opportunities and economies.

Please share this information and thank you for your participation!

PRIMER: Arizona State Parks Contribute To Booming Economy

by

New Provided by Governor of Arizona, September 30, 2021

From Slide Rock to Lost Dutchman to Catalina, Arizona’s state parks are second to none! Camping, hiking, boating, horseback riding — there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors at Arizona’s many state parks.

But the role our parks play goes well beyond mountain trails and pristine lakes. According to recently released numbers, Arizona State Parks and Trails last year supported an estimated 4,200 jobs and contributed $272 million to Arizona’s economy.

Arizona State Parks and Trails, in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Regional Economic State Park Economic Contribution 06212021 (2) Analysis Program, completed a study on the economic contribution and impacts of Arizona’s state parks for fiscal year 2020.

Highlights from the report:

  • Spending by non-local visitors increased by 20 percent since 2014;

  • Total spending by all visitors to an Arizona state park, including spending in and within 50 miles of parks, exceeded $332 million; and

  • In Mohave County, where parks had the largest economic impact, the parks contributed $83 million in sales and supported 945 jobs.

Governor Ducey took action to make sure state parks remained open to the public during the pandemic, allowing Arizonans and visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and healthy way. This year, the Governor also waived the admission fee to state parks for Easter weekend and ensured that the parks remained open. During that weekend, visitation was up 103 percent compared to 2019, with almost every park seeing an increase in visitors.

Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in overall visits to the parks, along with increased hours of availability and the addition of more park properties. This has led to an increase in visitor spending and an overall positive impact on the state economy.

Residents and visitors to the state continue to choose to explore the great outdoors and the incredible beauty, diversity and opportunity that our parks provide.

Read the full Economic Contribution and Impacts of Arizona State Parks FY2020 report HERE.

Arizona State Parks & Trails Heritage Fund Grant Workshops and Information

by

The Arizona State Parks & Trails Grant team will be holding a series of Heritage Fund Grant workshops over the next few months. Grant staff will discuss opportunities available through the Heritage Fund, as well as eligibility, available funding, and important program policies. Staff will also discuss the application and approval process, provide tips for submitting successful applications, and answer questions.

Recordings of past workshops as well as additional information about the Heritage Fund Grant and how to apply will be available on the Arizona State Parks & Trails website under “Grants and Information.”  Click here to access the page directly.

The next workshop will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 9 AM to 11 AM at which time State Parks will discuss all of our available funding opportunities, including the Recreational Trails Program, State Off-Highway Vehicle Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Heritage Fund. Below is the information for the August 26 workshiop. Please email grantstaff@azstateparks.gov to RSVP or if you have any questions regarding any of the grants.

Thursday, August 26, 2021 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Join by video system:

https://meet.google.com/dib-wxfv-nau

Join by phone:

+1 478-974-9161

PIN: 336 508 423#